1 POTATO FROZEN FRENCH FRIES 1.1 Introduction Indian fast food sector is growing at 25-30 % annually due to rapid growth of fast food chain both Indian and international. Presently, the core food service Indian market is 3600 crores and the share of quick service restaurants’ is Rs. 2500 crores. Out of the total snacks, potato based products like French fries, wedges, products using potato flakes and other Indian snacks have about 30 % share in fast food industry, approximately 75 crores in value terms. French fries are among the highest saleable potato products. This is the most abundant processed potato and can be found in many varieties such as lattice cut, wedges, curly, batter dipped, seasoned, or straight –cut including French Fries on menu is one of the easiest ways to increase sales and profits for the companies 1.2 Objective The primary objective of the model report is to facilitate the entrepreneurs in understanding the importance of setting up unit of Potato French Fries, technology and financial parameters of various components for preparation and submission of project proposal to bank for sanction of long term loan. This model report will serve as guidance to the entrepreneurs on starting up such a new project and basic technical knowledge for setting up such a facility. 1.3 Raw Material Availability The main requirement for manufacturing of potato French fries are the potatoes. In MP the production of potatoes was 7.14 lakh MT (2004-05). It is grown on an area of around 47602 ha. 1.4 Market Opportunities The market of processed potato products is growing at the rate of 15 to 20% per annum. The estimates of trade sources and sector studies indicate a market share of about 30% of potato based products in total 2400 crores snack food market. The main potato based products are French fries, wedges, cutlets, chips etc. Besides, dehydrated potato products like flakes, granules and powder are also used in larger quantities in preparation of many products as the substitute of fresh potatoes in products like Bhujia, Tikki, thickener, fabricated chips, patties and in preparation of premixes used for other products. Out of above mentioned products, this section of report will discuss the domestic and international markets for French fries, wedges and potato flakes, as these are the high Project Profiles - MP Agros 1 Global AgriSystem Pvt. Ltd. Your Partner in Agri-business value products with high growth rate and high demand in domestic and international market among all. 1.4.1 International market Total World trade of potato fries is estimated at 2.5 Million MT for 2000/01 Netherlands. Canada, and USA are the major players contributing more than 90% if the trade. During the past 10 years. The quantity and value of frozen fry exports have consistently increased. The major French fries and frozen food importing countries are East Asia n countries, where the number of quick service restaurant has expanded significantly. In the year 2000-2001, East Asian countries accounted for over 80% of fry exports. Japan accounted highest imports of fry shipments followed by china, Hong Kong, Mexico and Taiwan and Republic of Korea. 1.4.2 Domestic market The frozen French fries market in India is in a nascent stage but is growing at the rate of about 25% per year. The percent organized market for frozen French – fries in India is estimated at over 3500 tons/ annum, mostly contributed by imported French fries. The estimated domestic production of French fries is about 500 MT. There are also some Quick service food chains, and individual large restaurants making French fries for captive consumption. Wimpy is reportedly making 70 MT per year. A number of restaurants make fries using fresh potatoes. These restaurants are apparently making own French fires due to irregular supplies and high prices of imported fries. With affordable price and regular supplies, which a domestic producer will be in a position to organize, the volume will certainly increase as its market is growing tremendously due to increasing number of QSR Bars Pubs etc. The major end users of French fries are- . Quick service restaurants These are main buyer of French fries. Out of the total imported French fries, major quantity is sold through McDonald chain. The overall share of this segment is estimated around 60% the growth rate in these QSR is about 20-25% . Restaurants and eateries Apart from QSR’s other restaurants and eateries also have French fries on the menu and are also served as an accompaniment to other snacks. The share of this segment is estimated at 10% at present but has the highest growth potential because of sheer size of restaurants and eating joints in the country. Project Profiles - MP Agros 2 Global AgriSystem Pvt. Ltd. Your Partner in Agri-business . Bars/ pubs Significant quantities are used in bar and pubs with the drinks. This is also growing at appreciable rate of 15%. With relaxation in the licencing policy for bare and pubs in most of the states and increasing consumption of beer, the sale in this segment would increase at a fast rate. Flight Caterers / Luxury Trains Caterers, both flight and railways, are the another segment among the user of French fries, growing at the rate of 10%. Retail sales Frozen French Fries are also sold in retail outlets, like frozen vegetables and meat products from the refrigerated outlets. The present share of this is 5%. With changing retail formats, shopping malls and super markets becoming popular giving better visibility to such products then by increasing sale. Presently, the 90% need of domestic market is catered by imported frozen fries and remaining is manufactured in country by the companies like Tarai, Al Kabeer, Safal etc. In the year 1999, the imports were approximately 400 tons, which has grown to an estimated level of over 3000 tons in the year 2002. This shows a rapid upward trend in the consumption of French-Fries in India, which is getting boost with the expansin of fast food chains. The main companies from which French fries, required for domestic market, is being imported are: Lamb Weston : 1000 MT/Annum Aviko : 250 MT/Annum McCain : 1200 MT/Annum McDonalds : 500 MT/Annum (Direct from McCain) In the country, the institutional sales of fries accounts for more than 90% of the market, as French fries is an important product on the menu of quick service outlets. 85% of French fries sold are consumed within the premises, while 15% are sold in packed form. The trend, however, is changing towards packed products for consumption at home. The prices for bulk consumers are much lower than the retail prices, due to lower packaging and distribution costs for bulk sales. The retail prices of imported fries are about 25-50% higher than the domestic product. The prices are given the table below: Table 1 Selling prices of frozen French Fries Project Profiles - MP Agros 3 Global AgriSystem Pvt. Ltd. Your Partner in Agri-business Company Retail Price Bulk (Rs./Kg) (Rs/Kg) McCain/ Lambweston /Aviko 120 75-80 Tarai 90-100 (MRP is 120) 55-60 Safal 50 N.A. Although some of the units like Al Kabeer, Tarai, Safal etc. and some regional players are also there manufacturing fries in the country but most of them are not as per the acceptable international standards, as the units are using indigenous technology and there is a clear difference in the product from the imported one. There is a gap between technology used and available. One unit establishment in Coimbatore, named Golden fries has also been set up with imported plant but has not come in production yet due to unavailability of quality raw material. Apart from imported Frozen French fries which are generally used by the top and fast food chains, there is substantial and growing market for fresh French fries which are made in the eating joints from fresh potatoes. The usage of this product is because of high price of imported frozen French fries and non- availability particularly in small towns where distribution network does not exist. Further, some of their users do not have regular pattern of sale and are hesitant to keep stocks. According to a quick estimate the consumption of this type of French fries is 12,000 MT. This market can easily be tapped by domestic producers with appropriate pricing and distribution network. Fresh French Fries are also made in middle income group households quite frequently although it is difficult to estimate the size of this market. A part of this market can also be captured by appropriate marketing strategies in view of increasing trend of using ready to cook food products. Potato wedges is the spicy variants of French fries, introduced only 4 year back in the country. Present market of wedges in the country is about 500 MT. In India the major consumer of wedges is McDonalds, having market of 400 MT /Annum, Pizza Hut has recently added this in its menu. Other fast food chains have also introduced this product as substantial growth is expected in this segment. Presently, Vista Foods, dedicated supplier to McCain, is the only manufacturer of Wedges in the country. Wedges, being spicy in taste, offer great potential in terms of consumer acceptance as they are according to the Indian palate. The growth rate of this product in the country is about 25% per annum, whereas the scope is much higher, as there are possibilities of various types of Project Profiles - MP Agros 4 Global AgriSystem Pvt. Ltd. Your Partner in Agri-business coatings and seasonings application to this product to make it more acceptable to consumers and choose from similar wide range of snacks already available in the Indian market like, Pakoras, Samosas containing potato as main ingredient.